Russia strengthens military forces operating in Donetsk region

Military and political observer Oleksandr Kovalenko writes about this.

According to the journalist, in mid-December 2023 the Southern Group had just over 155 thousand men, while it was the most numerous and combat-ready group in the entire Russian Army. At the beginning of January 2024, the size of the group exceeded 168 thousand servicemen.

That is, despite the record losses, the group attacking Avdiivka, in the area of Bakhmut, etc., has increased by more than 13,000 in two and a half weeks.

Given the still insufficient mobilization in Russia with high losses it is possible thanks to donors of human resources in the form of other groups of troops.

“I think everyone remembers very well how the Russian command took forces and means for the attack on Avdiivka not only from the South group but also from the Center group of troops that is on the Luhansk bridgehead in the Lyman direction. Thus, in just a month, the most important brigades from the 2nd Combat Division and the 41st Combined Arms Army were redeployed to Avdiivka,” Kovalenko explains.

Over the past two and a half weeks, the number of people in the Center group has decreased from almost 41.5 thousand to just over 40 thousand. The West, which operates in the direction of Kupyansk, has decreased from 63 thousand to just over 61 thousand.

Military and political observer says that this phenomenon applies to almost all groups of troops, with the exception of the aforementioned South. And this is not only the transfer of forces and means from other bridgeheads at the expense of other groups, but also a factor of compensation for losses. 

"This phenomenon shows how eager the Russian command is to achieve at least some success in the Donetsk region before the so-called presidential elections in Russia, even at the expense of other footholds. I would not be at all surprised if by the "elections" in Russia, the southern group reaches several 190-200 thousand". Oleksandr Kovalenko added.

This means that the "meat attacks" may reach their peak during this period.